1 Corinthians 13:12
For now, we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully as I am fully known.
The photo above is one we snapped during a Face Time session with my daughter, Sarah, and the grand girls, although Virginia is the only one seen here. The little ones are more likely to come and go at rambunctious intervals, always waving or tussling with one another to get attention. We've chosen Sunday afternoons for our video chats, and believe me, I look forward to them all week long!
Sarah also sends us photos of the girls on a regular basis. Here are some recent shots of them enjoying the beach. So glad they can get out and enjoy the sunshine and the sand!
While Face Time and photos provide great comfort, they also reignite the longing we feel to be with them in person. Nothing can compare to the wrapping of little arms around you, squeezing tightly, and hearing, "I love you, Gammie" or "I love you, Papa." If I close my eyes, and allow my thoughts to drift, I can almost feel the last hugs we share before the family departs to begin a fresh adventure in a new state.
The day will come when we can all be reunited, but for now, it's like looking at a mirrored reflection - not the real thing, but the closest we can come at the moment.
And that's how it is on the earthly side of life. We can sense God's presence. We see Him revealed in the little miracles all around us. We know Him through His Word, which never fails. Yet, we won't fully know Him, as He already knows us, until we one day stand face to face with Christ Jesus, our Lord.
His hug of welcome will be like no other . . .
Amen!
A great reflection today, Martha. Thank you so much. There's very little I can add to what you said. Just brilliant.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and your family always.
Thank you, Victor, for your kind words here! I'm so glad this post spoke to your heart.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Beautiful pictures and so glad some day we will see and know Him face to face.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Valerie, one day, we will! Glad you enjoyed the photos.
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What a moving 'finale'! Sharing this morning with my Bible-study gals. Your daughter is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with your Bible study friends, Myra! I'm so honored. I think Sarah is beautiful, too, but I'm predisposed to feeling that way. :)
DeleteLove and blessings!
Amen.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful reflection of God's glory and beauty. I know how hard this must be for all of you...but God is good to give us these ways of communicating and looking into each other's eyes and almost touching...It won't be long. Hold on tight...God will open these doors again soon. (((hugs))) for you in the meantime.
ReplyDeleteI know He will, Pamela, and I'm certainly hanging on to that hope as tightly as I can. So glad you enjoyed the post!
DeleteLove and blessings!
What beauties! I love seeing them, Martha.
ReplyDeleteFor Mother's Day, all the kids did a Zoom meeting with me and we were able to play some games and also see my grandson, Luke.
Oh, how wonderful that must have been for you, Beckie! Zoom and Face Time are certainly the next best thing to being there, and I'm so grateful for today's technology. Glad you enjoyed the photos!
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Martha, this is such a sweet post. Connecting on line is better than nothing, yet is lacks so much--physical touch. We all need human touch for our well-being (and some of us need it more than others).
ReplyDeleteKnowing God and being known by Him is priceless!
Love and blessings!
Oh, yes, Kim, God created us to be together, and our longing for physical touch is a given. Let us hope and pray that we can soon be reunited in person with the people we love. The Lord knows how much we need this type of healing!
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yes, yes, missing them too. Looks like my youngest grandchilds first birthday will be over zoom. She won't realize it but we will be disappointed. My son says they will have a big party when she turns 2. We can hope for that!
ReplyDeleteOh, Jean, that's such a let down for you, though she won't know the difference. We are right on the same page when it comes to missing the grands. Hopefully, we will see them sooner than later!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Beautiful photos Martha. I think it is the physical touch that most of us miss at this time. I have no children or grandchildren, but always enjoy my pastor's 5 grandchildren, 3 of them 3 years old, one a year old and the other about 10 months. I miss them. One of them woke up a couple of days ago and told his mom that he dreamed that they made muffins and brought some to me. So today they baked muffins together and dropped off a half dozen along with a few other things in the bag. It was really sweet. And before they could drive away, he wanted to say something to me. He got to giggling, and it was contagious. That is the kind of thing I don't mind being infectious. But it would have been so much more satisfying if I could have given him a big thank you hug. One day. Hopefully soon.
ReplyDeleteOh, what a beautiful story you've shared here, Diane, and what a thoughtful little child! I'm sure the muffins tasted extra special because of who gave them to you. Yes, we are all missing human contact, especially those precious hugs from little ones. May this all be over sooner than later!
DeleteLove and blessings!
What a precious family you have. Living solo for a some years now with my children living everywhere but here, recently we started to chit-chat and see each other anytime of the day through an app called Marco Polo. I like that I can check in on them and they on me. sigh. Yes, the Presence of our LORD is always with us, filling in the gaps of longing within us mother's hearts. God bless You, Martha!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of the Marco Polo app, Diane, but I'll certainly look into it. And thanks for your kind words about my daughter and the girls - I think they are pretty precious, too!
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Beautiful family pickies to share Martha... lovely reflection on the word in 1 Cor 13:12... the mirrors of Paul’s day were not like ours, poor reflections indeed there, as it was just polished silver that’s why it’s called darkly in kjv
ReplyDelete“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
Oh what a day that will be when we see Jesus face to face .. and we shall know even as we’re known... that truly amazing!
Thanks for Sharing, and thanks for your beautiful and encouraging comments on my blog, you’re really appreciated.
God bless and keep you safe, and all those you love, hugs Shaz in Oz.x
{Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}
Thank you so much, Shaz, for your kind and thoughtful words here! Thanks, too, for shedding some light on the mirrors of Paul's time. And it will be a glorious day when we see our Lord face to face!
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Such a sweet analogy, Martha! I know you miss them so much. It is so painful to be separated from the ones we love - whether it is through geographical distance or through misunderstandings and fractured relationships or through those we love having gone on to glory. Each type of separation is a form of grief and very hard to bear. I could relate to much of the pain in this post. God bless you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteYes, Cheryl, any time we are separated from those we love, no matter what form it takes, it is painful. Thank goodness that we are never separated from God's love! He will ever hold us when we are hurting.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Those girls sure are growing up. VR will be so different when you see her and hold her. But nothing will compare to being held by the arms of Jesus and accompanied by a great big "Welcome home Bill."
ReplyDeleteThe girls are growing up too fast, Bill, and I so miss being a part of their lives right now. But yes, that hug from our Lord when all is said and done in our time on earth, will be priceless!
DeleteLove and blessings!
"His hug of welcome", that is quite the phrase Martha, I love it. You have a beautiful family.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your kind words here, Marja. I do love my girls, and miss their hugs so much.
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I hear you, Martha. Facetime is nice but not nearly as nice as face-to-face! I am anxious to give my grandsons some big hugs too!
ReplyDeleteI know you are, Laurie! Let's pray that time is coming sooner than later.
DeleteLove and blessings!